FACULTY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE

Research Newsletter

EVENTS

From the Desk of the ADR

A relatively quiet month this month. Grants are in. ERA is in. I’ve received 141 applications for compacts and bequests funding, we are still in the process of setting up a series of selection committees to review the applications while avoiding conflicts. I am hoping to get outcomes to you in the next couple of weeks. Sorry for the delays.

A relatively quiet month this month. Grants are in. ERA is in. I’ve received 141 applications for compacts and bequests funding, we are still in the process of setting up a series of selection committees to review the applications while avoiding conflicts. I am hoping to get outcomes to you in the next couple of weeks. Sorry for the delays.

On a positive note – the compacts are clearly achieving their aims. 50 of our 235 peer reviewed papers in 2014 were written by compact recipients!

If you missed the Faculty meeting last week, you should know that I have called for examples of research carried out in the Faculty that has had social benefits. Thanks to those of you who have already sent examples through. If you haven’t had a chance yet, please send it to vetsci.adr@sydney.edu.au

MEDIA |
Who's has been creating news............

Colleagues who have featured in the media

The Inner West Courier published a column by Dr Anne Fawcett from the Faculty of Veterinary Science on the warning signs of pets increasing their water intake.

Stock & Land mentioned University research on the return on investment provided by a typical working dog. Dr Elizabeth Arnott from the Faculty of Veterinary Science was quote in the article.

Associate Professor Kendra Kerrisk from the Faculty of Veterinary Science was quoted in The Land in relation to FutureDairy research from the University of Sydney.ABC (105.7 Darwin, Alice Springs) interviewed Dr Sally Isberg from the Faculty of Veterinary Science about the 2015 NT Rural Woman of the Year award which she recently won for her research on crocodiles.

Dr David Phalen from the Faculty of Veterinary Science was interviewed on 2CS FM about the need to quarantine the Bellinger River after a pathogen killed almost 300 turtles.

Dr Lydia Tong from the Faculty of Veterinary Science was interviewed on ABC (PM Online), 2GB Sydney, ABC Onlineand The Australianabout comparing the thickness of horse to human skin and how this may impact the use of whips in horseracing. Professor Paul McGreevy from the Faculty of Veterinary Science was also interviewed on 3AW Melbourne about a new campaign to stop horse whipping in the industry.

Dr Lydia Tong from the Faculty of Veterinary Science was quoted in articles in the Herald Sun and Gold Coast Bulletinabout research which compares the thickness of horse and human skin

Associate Professor Kendra Kerrisk from the Faculty of Veterinary Science was interviewed for stories in The Land and Stock & Landabout how widespread the use of robotic technology on dairy farms is in Australia.

Elizabeth Arnott from the Faculty of Veterinary Science appeared on SBS Sydney’s Insight for a panel discussion on how dogs’ brains function.

The 38 influential University of Sydney people you should follow on Twitter. Do you want to fill your Twitter feed with intelligent, inspiring and interesting content? Here are 38 of our most influential people you should follow on Twitter. http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=14686 to read the full story.

The portal will help increase the mobility of students in the Asia-Pacific, and reach the APEC goal of one million university-level student exchanges annually by 2020.

In support of the scholarships portal, the Australian Government has established the Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowships.

High-achieving female researchers from APEC economies will be supported to pursue research opportunities in partnership with Australian education and research institutions for a period of one to four months. Up to ten fellowships of up to $18,500 each will be awarded each year to female researchers at the forefront of their research discipline.

“These new fellowships will support women’s economic empowerment in the region and will also address an important priority of APEC to raise the profile of female role models in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Mr Pyne.

“We are also better preparing Australian students to engage internationally. Australia has also boosted its outward student mobility through the New Colombo Plan which supports Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“With the New Colombo Plan and Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships and Mobility Grants, there are now more opportunities than ever before to study and work abroad. We have also announced a comprehensive strategy to rejuvenate language study in schools and universities, which will equip the next generation with skills that will help make them more employable,” Mr Pyne said.

“Improved student mobility will help young Australians to become more conversant in the issues facing our region, which is critical given the importance of the Indo-Pacific to Australia’s future economic prospects,” said Mr Robb.

“Since coming into office, we have made significant progress. We have encouraged a return to growth. The number of overseas students studying in Australia has begun to climb after several years of decline. Export income from international education has also increased by over $1 billion to $16.3 billion in 2013-14,” Mr Pyne said.

More information on the scholarships portal and the Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowships is available at http://education.apec.org/.

The International Foundation for Ethical Research invites proposals for its graduate student fellowships for alternatives to the use of animals in science. These support candidates whose proposals show the greatest potential to replace the use of animals in science. Proposals should advance the development of alternatives to the use of animals in research, testing or education, and provide training that integrates innovation and discovery with ethics and respect for animals.ifer.org/fellowships-availability-announcments.phpClosing Date: 20 April, 2015

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council invites applications for its industrial partnership awards. These support science-led research projects that address any topic within the council’s remit, and where industrial partners contribute in cash funding.

Applications should be made to the following committees according to the research topic:

Principal applicants must be resident in the UK and hold an academic staff appointment, at the lecturer level or equivalent, at a higher education institution, research council institute or a BBSRC approved research organisation. Company partners should be registered in the UK or have a UK research and development or manufacturing site. Where a suitable company cannot be found in the UK, an overseas company may be used.

Industrial partners must contribute in cash at least 10 per cent of the full economic cost of projects. Awards are tenable for up to five years

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council invites applications for its stand-alone LINK programme. This supports pre-competitive research projects that address any topic within the council’s remit, and where industry contributes funding.

Applications should be made to the following committees according to the research topic:

Applying teams must include at least one company, with preference given to small and medium-sized enterprises, and one science-based partner. Principal applicants must be resident in the UK and hold an academic staff appointment, at the lecturer level or equivalent, at a higher education institution or research council institute. Company partners should be registered in the UK or have a UK research and development or manufacturing site. Where a suitable company cannot be found in the UK, an overseas company may be used.

Industry partners must contribute in cash at least 50 per cent of the full economic cost of projects. Funding is available for up to five years

Applications are now being sought for APWF research grants (up to $10,000), for research aimed at decreasing the number of treatable and adoptable dogs and cats euthanased in shelters and government pounds.

Applications for funds should be made using the attached application forms and submitted via email by the closing date of Thursday the 30th of April 2015.

The World Food Prize Foundation invites nominations for its world food prize. This is awarded for a specific, exceptionally significant, individual achievement at any point along the full range of food production and distribution chain. Fields of achievement include:

•soil and land;

•plant and animal science;

•food science and technology;

•nutrition;

•rural development;

•marketing;

•food processing and packaging;

•water and the environment;

•natural resource conservation;

•physical infrastructure;

•transportation and distribution;

•special or extraordinary feeding programmes;

•social organisation and poverty elimination;

•economics and finance;

•policy analysis;

•public advocacy.

The prize is intended for one person. Any academic institution, private or public organisation, or governmental unit may nominate. The prize is worth US$250,000.Closing Date: 1 May, 2015 (Forecast)

The Morris Animal Foundation Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Cure Initiative is a challenge to co-join innovative basic and clinical research to accelerate progress toward developing effective diagnostics, prevention and/or therapeutics for feline coronavirus infection, specifically FIP, in domestic cats. Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal health. The Foundation is a global leader in funding scientific studies for companion animals, horses and wildlife. Since its founding in 1948, Morris Animal Foundation has invested more than $92 million toward 2,300 studies that have led to significant breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments, preventions and cures for animals. In addition to those studies funded through our traditional grant process, we occasionally receive funds from individual donors, foundations or corporations to address specific issues of unmet medical needs for animal health.

OPPORTUNITES CLOSING IN JUNE/JULY 2015

Opportunites closing in June/July 2015

During the International One Health Congress 2015 in Amsterdam the second Humanimal One Health Innovation Challenge was launched by Humanimal. Humanimal is part of the Flevoland Development Agency which is funded by the province Flevoland. There are three categories for which ideas or draft business plans can be submitted and there will be a winner in each category, being:

The 2015 Research Gifts Program is now open to all applicants. Applications will be accepted until Friday 26 June 2015. The link below takes you directly to the application guidelines, application form and membership form:

Background: Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) was founded in 1948 by Mark L. Morris Sr., a veterinary nutritionist who envisioned a world in which scientific discoveries would transform the health of animals. MAF is currently funding approximately 300 health studies that benefit companion animals and wildlife around the world. Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research (BBFCR) was established in 2003 to provide a source of funds for programs dedicated to gaining a greater understanding of the causes, treatments and prevention of dog and cat cancer. Both MAF and BBFCR recognize the need to train future researchers to advance the science critical to improving animal health. Together, they have created this unique training award in veterinary nutrition.

Program Description: The MAF/BBFCR Fellowship in Small Companion Animal Nutrition is a two year award made to an institutional training program that will provide salary support for a post-DVM or post-PhD student pursuing post-doctoral research training in companion animal nutrition. Up to $118,000 is available for salary support of this fellowship. This includes $50,000 per year plus a maximum of 8% indirect costs. Additionally, $3,000-$5,000 per year will be available for scientific travel including presentation of research findings at relevant meetings, and visits to BBFCR headquarters in Connecticut and MAF in Colorado.

All funded proposals must meet Morris Animal Foundation’s Health Study Policy for Animals involved in Research

Gardiner Foundation is offering $1.5 million over 3 years to an excellent, cohesive and collaborative program of research, development and / or extension that meets the challenge of: Improving home grown forage utilisation through the use of novel and innovative practice change models to increase the number of dairy farms that achieve three goals collectively:

• home grown forage consumption greater than 1tDM per hectare per 100mm of rainfall and irrigation.• 1 kg milk solids production per kg of cow live weight.• total feed costs less than 40% of total farm income.

Proposals are due by

3 July 2015, and will be competitively assessed against the criteria of:

CONGRATULATIONS

A special issue of the Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics has just been published to mark the many significant contributions made by Honorary Professor John James in quantitative genetics and related fields throughout his long, productive career.

Having “retired” after 35 years as geneticist and statistician in the School of Wool and Animal Science at the University of New South Wales, for the last 15 years John has been spending two days each week in the genetics section of our faculty, mentoring and collaborating with staff and students. Among other things, his contribution to the faculty’s research output during this time has been invaluable.

15TH AND 16TH SEPTEMBER 2015 |
National Students for Sustainability professional conference

The University of Western Sydney (UWS) will be hosting a national Students for Sustainability (S4S) professional conference on the 15th and 16th September 2015. The conference theme "HOPE for the future" will explore the social and environmental impacts of our society and focus on empowering our youth with knowledge and skills to lead into an uncertain future. The S4S conference will provide students with the opportunities to network with like-minded peers and industry professionals, to professionally present and share their game changing solutions or stories of success, whilst advancing their own knowledge of current and emerging sustainability issues outside of their discipline areas. The conference streams will focus on food, ethics and environment with the underpinning notions of sustainability, design and innovation.

The University of Western Sydney (UWS) will be hosting a national Students for Sustainability (S4S) professional conference on the 15th and 16th September 2015. The conference theme "HOPE for the future" will explore the social and environmental impacts of our society and focus on empowering our youth with knowledge and skills to lead into an uncertain future. The S4S conference will provide students with the opportunities to network with like-minded peers and industry professionals, to professionally present and share their game changing solutions or stories of success, whilst advancing their own knowledge of current and emerging sustainability issues outside of their discipline areas. The conference streams will focus on food, ethics and environment with the underpinning notions of sustainability, design and innovation.

S4S differs from other student-led conference as it is a professional styled, multi-disciplinary conference for students, with the aim to provide and improve their communication and presentation skills in a professional and supportive environment. Presenting at S4S will assist with their speaking skills and confidence, whilst developing sustainability literate graduates. The conference will provide assistance, training and mentoring to presenting students through a series of free online webinars.Anyone can attend the S4S conference, however only presentations and poster presentations are open to current undergraduate and honours students from any university degree, regionally and internationally. Student presentation and posters must showcase innovative, game changing ideas and solutions or stories of success within their institutions or community, addressing the solution to one or more of our conference streams. Students can present as individuals or in a small team. To present students must submit a short 500-1,000 word proposal before the 1st June 2015. All submissions will be judged by an independent UWS panel.

As additional support, current domestic undergraduate or honours students who are presenting (excludes poster presentation) have the opportunity to apply for financial conference assistance packages. This financial assistance will help cover domestic air fares and on campus accommodation, as well as the waiving of the full conference fee. UWS is sponsoring 10 x $500 conference assistant packages which students must apply before the 5th of June. All submissions are judged by an independent UWS panel.

To assist with the success of the S4S conference we ask that you please consider the information provided and send it to the relevant parties within your institution or organisation and encourage your students to get involved.

"I want to empower HOPE for my generation and students alike about the future concerns of a sustainable, just and ecologically resilient world. These issues are a growing concern for me and I want to start advocating innovative solutions against our futures greatest threats. I want all students to be leaders and be the voice of change. Join me at S4S to get your solutions heard and to take action!"